All the cabins showcase an open plan design with a sitting room, kitchen and dining area combined under a cathedral ceiling. The cabins also include an upper floor mezzanine which overlooks the living space.

During the construction programme, there were two distinct phases of the project, the installation of infrastructure and the construction of the log cabins. All infrastructure on the site is entirely powered by renewables, which include micro hydroelectricity, wood pellet biomass boilers for heating, own borehole water supply and even wildflower turf roofs.

Maxwell & Co of Inverness was the architectural practice on the project. Meanwhile each phase had its own main contractor. Gregory’s of Cannich, Inverness-shire, was the main contractor on the infrastructure phase, whilst Alder Timber of Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire, was the main contractor on the construction of the log cabins.

Work began on the project in 2005 and was completed in 2013. Prior to work on the project, the land was a Greenfield site which included birch trees, bracken and wild deer.

Speaking to Premier Construction about the challenges, Mike Spencer of Eagle Brae, said:

“The main challenge of the project involved the settlement of the buildings. Genuine full log cabins settle/compress as much as 4 or 5 inches in the first 18 months the building is up. This obviously has a massive impact on everything as the building is moving! Special design is required for doors and windows to allow the logs to settle around the doors and windows, all flues and pipes need slip joints, and staircases can’t be fixed to the ground as they need to slide forward as the upper storey comes down – so it really adds a lot of complication to the build.”

Discussing the feedback since opening, Mike said: “The feedback so far has been amazing and Eagle Brae couldn’t have had a better start. We will exceed our 5th year target occupancy target in year 1. The guests have just been amazed with what we have created here and we have had fantastic guests reviews on Trip Advisor.”